

French's International Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, a 
United States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors. 

No. 312 . 


THE SECRET WAY 


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BY 

PRESTON GIBSON 


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Copyright, 1911, by Preston Gibson 


All Rights Reserved 


PRICE, 25 CENTS 


New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHERS 

28-30 West 38TH Street 


London 

SAMUEL FRENCH Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 
Strand 


FT 

MEPDE 

PS 3513 
.1278 
S4 
1911 
Copy 2 

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THE SECRET WAY 


511 €omc&p in <fl>nc Slct 


BY 

PRESTON GIBSON 

V* 


Copyright, 1911, by Preston Gibson 


New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38th STREET 


t °1 1 


London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
2G Southampton Street 
STRAND 


t 


f955l3 

rr 

THE SECRET WAY. 


/IDoral. 

Advise a woman to do as she chooses — if you wish 
her to choose otherwise. 

Let human nature take its course, and cater to 
obstinacy, and nine-times-out-of-ten you will get your 
way. P. G. 

Place. — The New Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C. 
Scene. — A drawing-room. 


Time. — 12.45 a. m. 


Lights. — Out. 


THE SECRET WAY. 


AT RISE: 

(The stage is in dartcness. The door at <3. is hastily 
opened, and Theresa Thomas enters followed 
by James James who pushes the electric but- 
ton. Lights up full. He takes the woman al- 
most roughly in his arms, and kisses her viol- 
ently. The room is an ordinary parlor with one 
entrance at c., a curtain door at r. 3 leading into 
a bedroom. A double brass bed can be seen 
through the portieres. There is a large sofa 
at l. 2 , a table with three chairs at r. of l. 1, on 
which is a lamp with a Tiffany glass shade. 
There is a book-case with glass doors at L. 1. 
The man is a nice-looking felloiv, good height, 
clean shaven, impetuous, ardent and physical. 
He is dressed in evening clothes. The woman is 
a brunette, with large black eyes, full red lips 
and a yielding figure. She has on a large black 
hat and an opera cloak: She gently releases 
herself from his embrace and comes down cen- 
ter.) 

Terry. I am dreadfully nervous, Jim. I wish 
we had caught the train ! You should have had your 
own motor instead of trusting to a taxi. 

Jim- ( comes down c.) Don’t worry, dear. We 
are perfectly safe here. 

Terry. You would feel safe anywhere, you have- 
n’t a husband. 

Jim. No, but I am going to have a wife soon. 

3 


4 


THE SECRET WAY. 


Terry. Here we are in the Willard Hotel. Al- 
most the very first place Ted would search. 

Jim. The very last place. He’d think we were 
in some out of the way hotel, or more likely, on 
board some train. 

Terry. Do you think he is home by now? 

Ted. Yes, and probably asleep. 

Terry. Asleep? If I hear he went to sleep 
quietly the night I ran off with you, I’ll never for- 
give him. 

Jim. I haven’t my watch; but it must be almost 
one o’clock. 

Terry. Let’s see, we left the supper about quarter 
past twelve. 

Jim. Yes. 

Terry. And missed the twelve thirty, by two 
minutes. 

Jim. Yes. The last train leaving Washington. 

Terry. He must have started for home about 
12.30, thinking we would be there a few minutes 
ahead of him. 

Jim. No doubt. 

Terry. By now he is worried — and perhaps real- 
izes I have gone away with you. 

Jim. Well? 

Terry. He has a dreadful temper. 

Jim. Well? 

Terry. If he should find out we were here. ( Goes 
quickly into his arms ) It would be terrible. There 
would be a frightful scene. 

Jim. Don’t worry. He is not going to find us. 
The thing for you to do is to get some rest ; we shall 
have to make an early start in the morning. 

Terry. What about my clothes? 

Jim. The traveling suit that you gave me, my 
man has at the Belvedere in Baltimore. When we 
get to New York you can get enough to last you to 
Paris. We shall take an apartment and you shall 
have everything you want. Come take off your hat? 


THE SECRET WAY. 


5 


Terry, (up and down ) I will, but I’m too nerv- 
ous to sit down quietly and take up a line of knitting 
while my husband may be down in the lobby. 

Jim. Ridiculous. 

Terry, (same) You registered too? 

Jim- Not my name. 

Terry. Perhaps Ted knows your handwriting. 

Jim. Not well enough for that. My brother is 
the only one who might. 

Terry. Does he suspect? 

Jim. I’ve told him everything. He knows I love 
you and he even warned me against running away 
with you. 

Terry. I don’t like him for that 

Jim. You know what I mean. 

Terry. I do think we ought to have a chaperone. 
I can’t go strolling through the world, as if we were 
married. 

Jim. We are only going to stroll to Paris. Then 
you can get a divorce and we’ll marry 

Terry. You know how I am carried away by im- 
pulse. 

Jim. Yes. 

Terry. What am I going to do before we get 
married, in the meanwhile? 

Jim. There isn’t any meanwhile. We are going 
at once — the first steamer. 

Terry. I suppose my being here to-night doesn’t 
count. 

Jim. It counts for a good deal, Terry. 

Terry. I hope it doesn’t turn out a bad deal. I 
really had no idea of marrying a lot of people. 

Jim. Do I look like a crowd? We shall make a 
very early start, say the six o’clock train. 

Terry. Six o’clock — why go to bed? 

Jim. You’ll find a few hours rest will 

Terry. Rest — rest ? I never expect to rest again. 
Is my hat on straight ? 

Jim. Yes. But your nerves? 


6 


THE SECRET WAY. 


Terry. As long as I am going abroad I might 
just as well give my nerves a fling. I can take a 
cure. 

Jim. Be reasonable, (goes near her ) Take off 
your hat. I’ll help you with your dress. 

( Starts to unhooik her gown. She runs away.) 

Terry. I told you we needed a chaperone. 

Jim. It’s getting late. 

Terry. You look worried. Do you think Ted 
has found out we are here? 

Jim. No, but if he -has, I don’t care (pulls 

out pistol) If he interferes with me, I won’t stand 
for it. 

Terry. Put that away, Jim. I am more fright- 
ened of it than my husband. 

Jim. (places the pistol on mantel. Goes to her) 
Terry — my Terry — all mine. (he takes both her 
hands and looks her over from head to foot) I’ve 
always wanted to see more of you. 

Terry, (flirtatiously) Men are curious. 

Jim. (gently putting his arm around her and 
drawing her to him) I have longed for this ever 
since my return from Australia, to be alone with 
you — alone. 

(He holds her close to him and kisses her. The 

telephone hell rings sharply. They both are start- 
led. He lets go of her. The bell rings again) 

Shall I answer? 

Terry. Yes. It may be something important. 

Jim. (goes to the telephone , picks up receiver) 
Hello ! 

Terry. Who is it? 

Jim. I don’t know. 

Terry. Find out ? 

Jim. (hand over mouthpiece) He wants to 
know if I am Mr. Henderson! 

Terry. Are you ? 


THE SECRET WAY. 


7 


Jim. What name did I register? Fve forgotten. 
Terry. Fm sure I don’t know your name. 

Jim. Henderson — that was it. ( speaks into tele- 
phone) Yes, I am Mr. Henderson. My brother 
wants to see me? 

Terry. He has recognized your handwriting. 
Jim. What shall I do? 

Terry. Tell him to come up. 

Jim. But 

Terry. He will have news of Ted. We’d better 
see him. 

Jim. Send him up! ( Hangs up receiver ) 

Terry. I wonder what has happened ? 

Jim. Nothing. 

Terry. Well, if you think we can run off and 
nothing happen, you must think an elephant can 
climb a match. 

Jim. He has simply come to offer us any help we 
may need. 

Terry. I don’t need any help. I need clothes, 
day and night. 

Jim. I know. 

Terry. I wish he’d come. I am dreadfully ner- 
vous. 

Jim. Take it easy. You won’t do any good by 
getting excited. 

Terry, (going about nervously) I am perfectly 
calm. Perfectly calm. 

Jim. Yes — : but 

(Enoch at door. Jim goes towards it very slowly.) 

Terry. Hurry, hurry. 

Jim. Come in. 

(The door opens and Theodore Thomas enters, 
lie is a very handsome man , about six feet in 
height, light well trimmed mustache, dressed in 
evening clothes, black overcoat, open. Silk hat 
and stick in his left hand, cigar in his right. 


8 


THE SECRET WAY. 


He blows a puff of smoike out of his mouth as 
he enters and bows to Terry. He shuts the door. 
Terry exclaims.) 

Terry. My husband ! 

Jim. ( starts rapidly toward mantel to get pistol) 

Ted. (to Jim) Don’t get excited. I only 
dropped in for a few moments to see if you both 
need anything, and if you are perfectly comfort- 
able. 

Terry, (amazed) Well? 

(Ted calmly takes off his coat, puts it on chair, hat 
on top of it, comes down center, seats himself 
comfortably.) 

Ted. Going away? 

Jim. Yes. 

Ted. May I ask where ? 

Jim. Abroad. I suppose you think you are going 
to prevent us. 

Ted. Such an idea never entered my head. 

Terry. He doesn’t care. 

Jim. I don’t know what your scheme is, but you 
had better take the shoe and leather limited out of 
this room. 

Ted. I just want to finish my cigar. You don’t 
mind I’m sure, Terry. 

Terry. No. That is 

Ted. Just a few puffs, then I’ll be off. (to Jim) 
Sit down. (Jim stands. To Terry) Come be soci- 
able, Terry, now that you are going away with him, 
I may never see you again. 

Terry, (sits) Well? 

Jim. (angrily) Make it short. I don’t want to 
have to put you out. 

Ted. You won’t have to, what are your plans? 

Jim. Terry is tired of you, and she is going to 
Paris with me. 

Ted. She will enjoy Paris. 


THE SECRET WAY. 


9 


Jim. Divorce proceedings will be instituted at 
one. 

Ted. That is quite proper. 

Jim. We shall be married. 

Ted. I understand that is sometimes done in 
Paris. I think your plans are excellent. 

Terry. You do? 

Ted. I’m going to help you all I can. You will 
find her a brick, Jim 

Jim. Yes, I know. 

Terry. You will help us? 

Ted. Of course. I am fond of Jim, and I love 
you. 

Jim- This won’t do 

Ted. Now, let’s talk the matter over sensibly. 
There are a great many questions to be decided. 
The first being we 

Jim. We? 

Ted. We must protect Terry from scandal. 

Terry. Yes, a scandal is like a guinea pig, it 
multiplies every twenty-four hours. 

Ted. Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to go 
away with Jim? 

Terry. I had no idea you would be so com- 
plaisant. You couldn’t have cared much for me. 

Jim. There is no necessity of bringing that up. 

Ted. My fondness for you is the very reason I 
am so willing to assist you. 

Jim. This is going too far. 

Ted. First we must consider your being here in 
this hotel. 

Jim. (loudly and emphatically) And we are 
going to stay here 

Terry. Please don’t raise your voice. 

Jim. Haven’t you finished your cigar? 

Ted. Almost. Now as regards the divorce. I — 

Terry. Yes. 

Ted. I shall let you bring the action. 

Terry. Really? Thanks! 


10 


THE SECRET WAY. 


Ted. You see if I did I would have to name Jim. 

Jim. Good Heavens 

Ted. I should object to a fake co-respondent. 

Terry. I would never think of such a thing. 

Jim. There’s time enough for that. 

Ted. These matters are important, and should 
be settled now. We should agree on the grounds for 
divorce. 

Terry. Of course we should. 

Jim. Nonsense. 

Ted. You don’t want a counter-suit, do you? I 
am only trying to facilitate matters for you both 

Terry. I think its very nice of you to take all 
this trouble. 

Ted. If the positions were reversed I’m sure 
you’d do the same, Terry. 

Jim. I’m getting tired of this. 

( Goes toward mantel.) 

Ted. Cruelty — that’s it. 

Terry. You have always been so kind. No? 
that wouldn’t do. 

Ted. Desertion. 

Terry. No, that would look as if you threw me 
over. 

Ted. I’ve got it ! Drunkenness. 

Terry. ( reprovingly ) Ridiculous! 

Ted. I don’t know what there is left to separate 
us by law. 

Jim. I’ve got it. Let’s say you are a dope fiend. 

Terry. How could you suggest such a thing? 

Ted. Well, when you decide write me. 

Terry. I don’t like any of the ways mentioned. 

Jim. ( 'positively ) We’ll find a way. Good-night, 

Theodore. 

Terry. Don’t he rude, Jim. 

Ted. There’s another matter I want to say a word 
about, (to Terry) Your spending money. 

Terry. That’s all gone. 


THE SECRET WAY. 


11 


Jim. I shall not allow Terry to accept anything 
from you. 

Ted. If I give you an allowance it might be em- 
barrassing, so I will simply turn over to you my 
Nassau Street property. 

Terry. You are much too good. 

Ted. Will you accept this as a last favor? 

Terry. I will — as a last favor 

Jim. ( great anger) It’s time you were going. 

Terry. Why do you want to hurry him off when 
we are having such a nice talk. 

Ted. We’ve settled almost everything, servants, 
divorce and spending money. If you think of any- 
thing else before you sail drop me a line, Terry. 

Terry. Thanks. 

Ted. You’re a lucky boy, Jim. She’s the best 
of them all, an ace. 

Terry. Don’t 

Jim. I know all about her. 

Ted. You’ll never know all about her. She’s 
simple, yet complex. She’s light on the bit, yet she 
pulls. When you think she is in her fourth speed, 
she is in the reverse. Like the crab — when you 
think she is coming toward you, she is backing away. 
I tell you after she was made they destroyed the 
pattern. 

Terry. It’s been a long time since you talked in 
this way. 

Ted. It’s been a long time since you’ve listened. 

Terry. What are you going to do? 

Ted. I haven’t quite made up my mind. But I 
think I will take a motor trip. 

Terry. Alone ? 

Ted. Perhaps. 

Terry. You are thinking of some one. 

Ted. No one in particular. 

Terry. Some woman. 

Ted. Perhaps. 

Terry. Who ? 


12 


THE SECRET WAY. 


Ted. I don’t know. 

Terry. You have some one in mind. 

Ted. Well, I did think perhaps Julie Henry 

Terry, (excitedly) Julie Henry? 

Ted. A trip through the Berkshires wouldn’t be 
bad at all. Now I think we have settled everything. 
Good-night, and good-bye, Terry. 

(Ted is at mantel.) 

Terry, (starts toward Ted) I’m going home. 

Jim. You are not. 

Terry. Why not? 

Jim. Because I say so. 

Terry, (sweeps by him) You say so! (snaps 
her fingers) They say he who stops and ponders 
is bossed, well, I don’t even hesitate. 

Jim. (works up to a fury) Wait a minute. 

I’m not going to stand for this (at mantel) 

Y^ou’re going to stay right here with me. I’ve 
gone too far to turn back now. (picks up pistol 
from mantel) 

Terry. What do you mean ? 

Jim. I mean that half an hour ago, you were just 
going to take off your hat, when the telephone rang, 
and he came.* I mean that you are going to take off 
your hat and stay with me. 

Ted. Terry shall do just as she pleases. Do you 
want to go or stay, Terry. 

Terry. I am going. 

(Starts to the door. Ted takes one hurried step to- 
wards door.) 

Jim. Don’t open that door! (dev els pistol at 
him) Don’t move. I mean business. I’ll show you 
the kind of a man I am. 

Terry. Man? — you call yourself a man? Why 
there isn’t one drop of manhood in your whole 
makeup. You’ve mistreated your wife, you’ve lied 


THE SECRET WAY. 


13 


to me ! Now you stand there threatening to shoot 
your best friend: — and you call yourself 'a man? 

Jim. You must stay here with me. 

Terry. I wish to God I had never been born ! 

Jim. (to Ted) I’ll ,<rive you ten to clear out or 
you will get a number at the morgue. 

Terry. Oh ! You beast 

J im. One — two 

Ted. Keep your nerve, Terry, you are not going 
to stay and I am not going to the morgue. 

, Jim* Three — four 

Terry. For heaven’s sake, don’t do anything rash, 
(begins to take off her hat) I’ll stay! Don’t shoot. 

(Ted gets his hat and coat) 

Jim. Five — six — seven. 

Terry. For God’s* sake go. 

Jim. Eight — nine 

Ted. Keep your nerve, Terry, keep your nerve. 

Jim. Ten ! 

(Ted who is by the door presses button and turns 
out lights , stage in total darkness. A shot is 
heard. Terry screams once. The struggle of 
the two men is heard in the dark, a chair over- 
turns — Jim’s voice is heard.) 

Jim. Y'ou’re breaking my arm. 

(A body is heard to fall, then the center door is 
opened and closed with a bang — Terry presses 
button lights up — stage clear except for Jim who 
is on the floor at r. His left arm badly wrenched, 
he is hidden by the table , she does not see him, 
she gets her cloak and starts up c., when she gets 
near door Jim raises himself and shows re- 
volver.) 

Jim. Wait a minhte! (she stops) Come here, 
sit down ! (she comes down and sits at L. of table) 

Jim. Well, he’s gone — alive too. 


14 


THE SECRET WAY. 


Terry. It was no fault of yours. 

Jim. This is Hell! 

Terry. I am sure Hell is not as bad as this. 

Jim. Well, what are you going to do? 

Terry. ( motions to pistol ) Just as you say as 
long as you have that. 

Jim. Without it? 

Terry. I’m going home and beg Ted to forgive 
me. 

Jim. Then it’s all up with me? 

Terry. When you give that up, you give me up. 

Jim. Everything would have been been all right 
if he hadn’t come. 

Terry. How thankful I am he did — else I should 
have found you out too late. 

Jim. You think I am no good. 

Terry. Y r ou are the best example of that ex- 
pression I’ve ever seen. 

Jim. Then you’re not going away with me? 

Terry. Ho. 

Jim. If he won’t take you back? 

Terry. What is that to you? 

Jim. Come, we can’t sit here all night, it’s two 
o’clock. You’d better go to bed. 

Terry. I couldn’t sleep. 

Jim. I suppose he has gone to get a revolver 
when he comes back one of us will be carried out. 

Terry. He isn’t that kind. He is too sensible. 
{pause, silence ) 

Jim. Sensible ! I’m a pretty sensible fellow, 
Terry. Y^et I would have killed him just now — wo- 
men like you don’t realize the effect they have upon 
men like me. It’s like putting two matches together, 
Terry, pouf — they light — you and I are alike in this 
way — you know there is nothing more quickly aroused 
or more easily subdued than passion. It goads us to 
great wrongs. 


{Puts pistol in his pocket, gets hat and coat.) 


THE SECRET WAY. 


15 


Terry. Where are you going? 

Jim. Back to Australia, You’d better go home. 

(Exit Jim, closing door after him.) 

Terry. ( sits looking straight ahead of her) 
Shall I go home? What will Ted do. What will he 
say? (Ted enters from bedroom and comes and 
puts his arms around her) 

Ted. That you and I will start on the motor trip 
to-morrow. 

Terry, (in his arms) Ted! 


CUKTAm. 


DEC 28 1911 



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One copy del. to Cat. Div. 


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